Eala takes door graciously, knowing PH tennis is WTA event champion
Alex Eala may have missed the chance to win her first-ever WTA 125 tournament at home, but the Philippine Women’s Open will change the game after more Filipinos are now interested in tennis.
The 20-year-old Eala’s campaign ended with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Camila Osorio of Colombia, but the love the crowd showered the home bet on her way out of the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Thursday night was nothing short of spine-tingling.
“I think this tournament, although it’s not yet done, I think it’s been a great success,” said Eala. “Just the turnout of people, seeing how much they’ve enjoyed, hearing the feedback from other players and from people in the WTA, I think it couldn’t have turned out better for a first edition.
“I’m so happy that I got to be a part of it and I’m so happy that I was able to see it unfold.”
Fans, who waited for Eala after the press conference, were accommodated by the rising star with autographs and selfies.
Besides Eala, who made the Filipinos more interested in tennis since her dream run at the Miami Open last March before a historic SEA Games gold and rise to world No. 49 at the end of last year, other local netters like Tenny Madis, Stefi Aludo, Elsie Abarquez, Kaye Ann Emana, Angeline Alcala, Lauraine Jallorina, Rovie Baulete, Joana Victoria Pena, and Justin Anne Maneja got a feel of big-time play in the tournament.
Emana, the reigning UAAP MVP from University of Santo Tomas, who lost to Tatiana Prozorova in the first round, 6-1, 6-0, hopes for more opportunities for other Filipino netters to have a shot at reaching Eala’s level of play.
Eala said that she will work hard to keep the Philippines on the world tennis map, which could open doors for her fellow netters and the next generation.
“As I heard from other people, I’d like to think that I have somewhat, something to do with this tournament coming alive,” she said. “So that could be an example of how I can help local players.
“The fact that this tournament is happening is a huge thing for local players,” she continued. “So I think that’s an example of me doing my part. And of course, hopefully, as I get better and as I get older, maybe I’ll make further steps.
“But as for now, I think I’m doing pretty well helping the local players.”
Eala believes that the Philippine Women’s Open is a good stepping stone, as tennis continues to grow in the country.
“In my opinion, women’s tennis especially has been overlooked for a long time,” Eala said.
“So, to have a WTA here is a great stepping stone,” Eala, who goes to Abu Dhabi for a WTA 500 event next week, said.
She offers no promises as to when and where the next title will come from.
“It’s hard to tell the future,” Eala said. “I’m working hard. My team is working hard. And we’re working hard to maintain the level that I’m at and working even harder to go deeper and higher into the rankings inch by inch.”
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